Chapter 9
Julian's heart was pounding as he walked through the halls of Starfleet Command. It took all of his self-control not to break into a run towards the room where the Admirals were waiting for him; the sooner he knew their decision, the better. The legal roadblock preventing him from having a baby was something that had plagued Ezri and Julian for almost two months, and they wanted nothing more than for this to be over. Julian just hoped that the answer the Admirals were going to give him was a good one.
When he and Ezri first embarked on this journey, Julian wasn't sure if he was ready for children. Originally, the whole purpose of this was to prepare for the future, for the possibility that Julian might change his mind about children. But something had changed in Julian during the process, and he didn't realize it until now. It wasn't until he was directly faced with the possibility of not being able to have a family did Julian realize how much he wanted one. Growing up, his own family life had been complicated, and he knew Ezri's wasn't much better. Their bad experiences could affect how they would raise a child, but Julian wanted nothing more than to try. Part of him wished that he hadn't made Ezri go wait for him on the runabout so he could tell her this, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. Such a declaration would only make it worse if Julian didn't get permission to have children.
Julian now stood before a set of closed doors, behind which three Admirals were waiting to deliver his fate, He couldn't remember ever feeling so nervous. Taking a deep breath, Julian pressed the door chime, and the doors slid open to admit him.
Bennett, Strickler, and T'Lara were seated behind a large desk, their faces showing no sign of what their decision was. Strickler gestured to the empty seat in front of them. "Have a seat, Doctor." After Julian was seated, he continued. "We have given your request a considerable amount of thought, and we have reached a decision."
Julian nodded as T'Lara began to speak. "The Eugenics Laws were created for a reason, Doctor, and it is imperative that you understand those reasons. When your species attempted to improve themselves through artificial means, Humanity was nearly destroyed. Even after genetic resequencing was banned, the consequences of that era continued to haunt not only Earth, but the rest of the quadrant. Khan Singh would have destroyed all the Federation stands for, and people like him cannot be permitted to exist."
Julian's heart sank. It sounded like they were going to refuse his request to have children. He didn't even want to think about what this would do to Ezri. Bennett took over from where T'Lara left off. "We understand that you did not choose to undergo genetic resequencing, and we respect the work that you have done, but you must understand our caution. There is the risk that your children could destroy everything we have worked for. Still, the information you provided us has given us reason to reconsider our position.
"Your data claims that the effects of enhanced DNA diminish from each generation, and that your wife's alien DNA would help to suppress it as well. Our own experts have confirmed this, and the results appear promising. Therefore, we have decided to grant your request."
Before Julian could say anything, Strickler added, "This decision also comes with limitations, Doctor. Your children will not be permitted to serve in Starfleet or any government positions. They will also have to undergo genetic and psychological testing for the duration of their lives. If Starfleet determines that they are a threat, then they will have the authority to assume full custody. This is our offer. Do you accept?"
Much to his surprise, Julian hesitated. He hadn't expected to be given permission to have children, if one could even call Starfleet's offer that, and now he wasn't sure if he wanted to accept. If he did, he would be forcing his children to live a life of mediocrity and would risk losing them if they tried to exceed the limits placed on them. Could he really do that to his children? Briefly, Julian considered demanding that he be given the same rights as any parents and that his children be treated as equal citizens of the Federation. They would most likely refuse him, and if they did, he would continue to fight them to the bitter end. The he thought of Ezri, and how much she wanted to have a family, a desire that he shared as well. He knew he wasn't going to get a better offer.
Julian nodded. "I accept."
The moment Julian materialized aboard the Ganges, Ezri was standing right next to him, her face anxious. "Well? What did they say?"
Julian avoided the question. "I need a drink."
"That's it? That's all you're gonna say?"
"Until I have my drink, yes. One Saurian brandy," he ordered from the replicator. He drowned the golden liquid in one gulp.
Ezri watched him impatiently. "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Julian, this isn't funny!" Ezri cried. "What did they say?"
Unable to go on teasing her, Julian grinned at Ezri. "They said yes."
Ezri's hands flew to her mouth. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am."
Squealing in delight, Ezri launched herself at Julian, and he spun her around the small cabin. "You did it!" she laughed. "Oh, I knew you could do it!"
Julian grew serious, releasing Ezri. "Not exactly. There is a catch."
The smile slid off Ezri's face. "What do you mean?"
"Well, our children can't serve in the government or Starfleet, and they'll be psychologically tested constantly to see if they pose a threat. If Starfleet decides that they do, they can take them away from us."
Ezri bit her lip. "Tennet thought something like this would happen. We'll just have to cross that bridge if and when we come to it. The important thing is that we can have children!"
Julian sat Ezri down, kneeling before her. "I actually wanted to talk to you about that."
"Oh?"
"Yes." Julian took a deep breath before continuing. "I know that when this all started, I told you that I wasn't ready for a family. That I wanted to wait a few years."
"And now?" Ezri asked, her face expectant.
"I didn't realize how much this whole business would affect me. I didn't realize how much I wanted children until I was faced with the possibility of never having them." Julian paused for a moment. "I'm ready to have a family if you are. What do you say?"
In response, Ezri kissed Julian, a kiss so deep that it seemed to touch his soul. When she pulled away, she whispered, "I say yes."
Finally, a happy ending! And some people say I'm heartless. It might be a bit unrealistic, considering the Federation's history with the genetically enhanced, but I didn't think you guys would mind. Now the question is what to do next. Ezri and Julian are going to try to have a baby; maybe I should focus on that. Then again, it's been awhile since I tortured Shar. Decisions, decisions. Review and subscribe!
